My guest today is Justin Watt, co-founder of Switchboard, which helps businesses with automation and AI tools to become more effective and efficient companies. He’s the smartest person I know when it comes to automation, and I’ve been really excited to record this episode with him laying out his philosophy for tools and how to approach streamlining key internal processes. We talk about hype vs reality with AI tools, preparing your company for automation and laying the foundation through cleaner data, the three pillars of modernizing a company via people, process, and technology, and so much more! One last note, I’ve launched my own search called Airframe Group and I’m looking for great companies and experts in industrial services and value-added distribution. Please reach out, always excited to meet owners and experts in the industry. Email me at [email protected]. Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.  Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/ Links: Justin on LinkedIn Justin on X Switchboard Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:03) - Justin’s career and background (00:07:31) - The three pillars of automation (00:11:56) - Examples of implementing new tools in current processes (00:18:26) - How can you see through superfluous marketing? (00:21:23) - What questions should people be asking when evaluating new software tools? (00:23:06) - What do companies need to work on before they can consider implementing automation? (00:26:20) - The AI hype & discerning noise from signal (00:36:57) - Enablement infrastructures (00:42:28) - What automations do you enjoy spending the most time on? (00:49:14) - Reinventing HR Processes (00:51:26) - The anatomy of automation (00:53:10) - What are some quick wins you often see with companies you work with in automation? (00:55:38) - What advice do you share with folks trying to implement automation?